The West Michigan Whitecaps will open next season on the road, but they won't have to go far.

The Whitecaps, who released their 2011 schedule today, will travel to Lansing to face the Lugnuts for a three-game series beginning April 7.

West Michigan then will host Lansing in its home opener April 10 at Fifth Third Ballpark. First pitch is 1 p.m.

After that, the Whitecaps will host the Great Lakes Loons, which finished 2010 with a Midwest League-best 90 wins, in a four-game series.

West Michigan will play 19 of its first 35 games at home.

"The schedule lays out well for us, and it is always good to have the home opener on Sunday because it should help with getting fans out," Whitecaps vice president Jim Jarecki said. "We have a lot of home games early in the season and, hopefully, that will get people excited to come out."

Three "School Days" games will take place in May, and two peanut-free games are scheduled for later in the month.

Nineteen home dates will feature fireworks.

Weekly promotions such as Tiger Fridays, Thrifty Thursday and Family Days on Sundays also will return next season.

Fans may purchase season tickets and mini plans beginning Oct. 26. Tickets for groups of more than 20 go on sale Nov. 19. Individual game tickets will be available in early 2011.

The Whitecaps ended the 2010 season with a seventh consecutive postseason berth. They lost in the first round of the playoffs against eventual league champion Lake County.

Two other MWL teams -- the Kane County Cougars and Burlington Bees -- begin the 2011 season with new major league affiliates.

Kane County signed a two-year player developmental contract with the Kansas City Royals and Burlington signed a two-year agreement with the Oakland Athletics.